Since 2013, the Hervé-Foulon prize has enabled the reissue of a title that went somewhat unnoticed when it was published, at least ten years ago. Great initiative to dust off exceptional Books!
Thus, the Hervé-Foulon prize – A book to reread reminds us that good literature is not only in novelty and that we sometimes have to get off the beaten track, or from the displays of newly published books in bookstores, to find the pearl rare in reading. Despite all their good will, booksellers and professionals in the book industry cannot read the immensity of the publications each season and we must admit that sometimes, certain titles would have deserved more light. The Hervé-Foulon Prize therefore brings forward these forgotten or neglected works so that a second chance is given to the book and to the readers who will have the pleasure of (re)discovering it. The Hervé-Foulon prize awards the winner a $5,000 scholarship, while SODEC will cover half of the reissue costs.
The 2024 winner is Hervé Bouchard for his novel Maillouxpublished by Le Quartanier in 2014. The jury, composed of Marie-Andrée Lamontagne, James Hyndman, Lise Bissonnette and Dominique Garand, underlined its choice in these words: “ […] it is a novel which can certainly seem disconcerting due to a statement which cheerfully superimposes temporalities, and even voices. But that’s precisely what makes it fascinating, makes it unique. Something strong is happening here that is reminiscent of art brut. This voice conquers us with its freedom and its playful character. By its emotion also, because it is, all literature combined, the most beautiful and strongest text on the dramas of childhood. »
Be attentive! Mailloux will be back in bookstores soon!
Photo: © Justine Latour/Le Quartanier
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